Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression characterized by a recurrent seasonal pattern, most commonly occurring during the fall and winter months.
Ranked by community outcomes, then evidence grade, Health Voice mentions, and recency.
Why it may help Seasonal Affective Disorder: Treats underlying winter D deficiency
Why it may help Seasonal Affective Disorder: Vitamin D plays a role in serotonin synthesis and receptor expression in the brain, and its deficiency is linked to mood disorders, suggesting supplementation may improve mood in Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Why it may help Seasonal Affective Disorder: Rhodiola may help improve mood and reduce fatigue by modulating neurotransmitter activity and the HPA axis response to stress, which can alleviate symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Why it may help Seasonal Affective Disorder: L-Tryptophan serves as a precursor to serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation, and melatonin, which influences sleep-wake cycles, potentially alleviating mood disturbances and sleep issues associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Why it may help Seasonal Affective Disorder: Supports neurotransmitter synthesis
Why it may help Seasonal Affective Disorder: Supports serotonin synthesis
Why it may help Seasonal Affective Disorder: Exercise increases neurotransmitter levels like serotonin and norepinephrine, and reduces inflammatory markers, which collectively improve mood regulation and alleviate depressive symptoms associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Why it may help Seasonal Affective Disorder: Improves sleep and mood
Why it may help Seasonal Affective Disorder: As effective as fluoxetine in trials
Why it may help Seasonal Affective Disorder: Cognitive and mood support
Why it may help Seasonal Affective Disorder: Supports HPA axis
Why it may help Seasonal Affective Disorder: Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA, can influence neurotransmitter pathways and reduce inflammation in the brain, potentially improving mood regulation and alleviating depressive symptoms in Seasonal Affective Disorder.
An adaptogenic herb that has been studied for stress, thyroid function, and energy.
Community outcomes
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Community Discussions
How global health authorities view Seasonal Affective Disorder.
The Mayo Clinic highlights light therapy as a primary treatment for SAD, along with psychotherapy and medication. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) also recognizes light therapy and psychotherapy as effective interventions. While some natural approaches like St. John's Wort and Omega-3s have shown promise in research, organizations generally advise caution due to potential interactions and the need for medical supervision, especially for St. John's Wort. The NHS emphasizes the importance of lifestyle changes, including exercise and spending time outdoors, alongside conventional treatments. There is growing interest in the role of Vitamin D, but more research is needed to establish definitive guidelines for SAD treatment.
Indexed studies for Seasonal Affective Disorder, grouped by source type and quality.
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Pooled analyses across multiple human trials.
Global prevalence of seasonal affective disorder by latitude: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Kim K, Kim J, Jung S, Kim HW, Kim HS, Son E · Journal of affective disorders · 2025 · n=866
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) has been reported globally, yet no comprehensive meta-analysis has systematically examined the association between latitude and SAD prevalence. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between latitude and the prevalence of SAD, subsyndromal SAD (SSAD), and summer-type SAD. A systematic search was conducted in Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and ScienceDirect on May 23, 2025. Eligible studies were cross-sectional and used the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ) to diagnose SAD. Data were extracted on prevalence, latitude, age, sex, region, income level, and Köppen climate zones. Pooled prevalence rates were calculated using a random-effects model. Meta-regression and subgroup analyses were performed to assess the influence of latitude and other moderators. Twenty-four studies with 32,866 participants were included. The pooled prevalence of SAD was 5.01% [4.15-5.86], SSAD was 9.37% [7.55-11.18], and summer-type SAD w
Wan Y, Ding J, Fan M, Huang H · Medicine · 2025 · n=773
To determine the efficacy of different visible light therapies in treating seasonal affective disorder (SAD) through both direct and indirect comparisons. We conducted a search of the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, VIP, and China Biomedical Literature databases for randomized controlled trials up to November 12, 2024. The using search terms were: white light, blue light, green light, and SAD/winter depression. Two independent researchers reviewed and extracted the data. After screening, a total of 17 studies were obtained, involving 773 patients. These studies included 14 on white light, 6 on blue light, 2 on green light, and 5 on red light. The results indicated that, in terms of alleviating seasonal mood dysregulation or typical depressive symptoms, white light therapy was most effective, followed by green light, blue light and red light. Furthermore, usual care of SAD was found to be more effective than g
Treatment measures for seasonal affective disorder: A network meta-analysis.
Chen ZW, Zhang XF, Tu ZM · Journal of affective disorders · 2024 · n=1037
The purpose of this study was to assess the potential effectiveness of several mainstream therapies, including phototherapy, antidepressants, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and negative ion generators, in the treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and WOS databases was conducted from January 1975 to December 3, 2022. Randomized controlled trials meeting predefined selection criteria for the treatment of SAD using mainstream therapeutic approaches were identified. After reviewing abstracts, data were synthesized and categorized based on the type of intervention and the targeted disorder. A total of 21 randomized controlled trials, involving 1037 participants, were included. The standardized mean difference of depression scores and corresponding 95 % confidence intervals were calculated to assess the efficacy of phototherapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder. The meta-analysis revealed that phototherapy was significantly more
Recommendations from medical societies (NICE, AHA, ADA, ACG, Endocrine Society…).
Depression in adults: recognition and management (NG222)
NICE
While not exclusively for SAD, this NICE guideline covers the recognition and management of depression in adults, including consideration of seasonal patterns. It offers evidence-based recommendations for assessment, psychological interventions, and pharmacological treatments.
Cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional human studies.
Ambar Akkaoui M, Geoffroy PA · Journal of psychiatric research · 2025
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a frequent and severe disorder. The prevalence of SAD varies from 1 % to 10 %, influenced by latitude and assessment methods, and is higher in women and younger populations. SAD is also overrepresented in patients with bipolar disorders. In this context, screening for SAD appears crucial, particularly because specific treatments are available. We aimed to examine comprehensively and critically the existing scales and questionnaires for assessing and screening SAD. A systematic literature review was performed using PRISMA guidelines and searching on PubMed, Cochrane Library, and PsycINFO databases up to April 2024. Out of 791 articles screened, 28 met the inclusion criteria. Seven scales were identified, divided into those for screening and those for severity measurement. The Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ) is widely used and validated in multiple languages and disorders. Of note, the SPAQ tends to overestimate SAD preval
Geoffroy PA, Palagini L, Henriksen TEG, Bourgin P, Garbazza C, Gronfier C · Dialogues in clinical neuroscience · 2025
The International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) Chronobiology and Chronotherapy Task Force conducted a comprehensive review to deliver concise evidence-based recommendations on the use of bright light therapy (BLT) for bipolar disorder (BD). Adjunctive BLT is likely an efficacious acute treatment for bipolar depression as implicated by higher quality evidence. The position of maintenance BLT for relapse prevention awaits further investigation. Protocols of effective BLT in BD are similar to parameters indicated for treatment of seasonal and non-seasonal major depressive disorder. Anti-manic prophylaxis (especially for BD-I) and clinical monitoring are recommended with initiation of and ongoing light treatment. Administer BLT daily, preferably in the morning or at mid-day. If mornings are prohibitive, then mid-day exposure, implemented to avoid excessively early wake times, is an acceptable alternative. Informed by the literature, target 30 min/day of BLT exposure. Patient
Depression and obesity: Focus on factors and mechanistic links.
Selman A, Dai J, Driskill J, Reddy AP, Reddy PH · Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular basis of disease · 2025
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is defined as mood disorder causing a persistent loss of interest and despair for two weeks or greater, with related symptoms. Depression can interfere with daily life and can cause those affected to not work, study, eat, sleep, and enjoy previously enjoyed hobbies and life events as they did previously. If untreated, it can become a serious health condition. Depression is multifactorial with a variety of factors influencing the condition. These factors include: (1) poor diet and exercise, (2) socioeconomic status, (3) gender, (4) biological clocks, (5) genetics and epigenetics, and (6) personal stressors. Treatment of depressive disorders is thus also multifactorial and utilizes the following therapies: (1) diet and exercise, (2) bright light therapy, (3) cognitive behavioral therapy, and (4) pharmaceutical therapy. Obesity is defined as body mass index over 30 and above, is believed to be causally linked to MDD through both psychological and molecular
Public-health agencies: NCCIH, NIH, CDC, NHS.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
NHS
This page from the NHS provides comprehensive information on Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), covering symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and various treatment options like light therapy and talking therapies. It aims to help individuals understand and manage the condition effectively.
National Institute of Mental Health
This fact sheet provides an overview of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), including signs, symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment options such as light therapy, psychotherapy, and medication. It emphasizes seeking professional help for diagnosis and treatment.
Registered ongoing or completed trials (ClinicalTrials.gov).
Correlation of Vitamin D Supplementation in Emergency Medicine Residents and Seasonal Mood Symptoms
n=27 · NCT03739671 · COMPLETED · COMPLETED
Seasonal mood changes, and even feelings of depression, appear to have an association with decreased amounts of vitamin D in people living in geographic areas where exposure to sunlight during the winter months is relatively low. In this study, PGY-2 and PGY-3 Emergency Medicine residents at Lakeland Health will fill out PHQ-9 surveys for a total of 6 months (October-March), filled out at the end of each month. This is the time of year in southwest Michigan where exposure to direct sunlight is the lowest. The results of the individual surveys will be trended for the entire six months to see if individuals responds more positively after Vitamin D supplementation is initiated between months 3 and 4. Vitamin D supplementation will be 5000 units daily for the months of January-March.
n=60 · NCT01123252 · COMPLETED · COMPLETED
The study aims to examine the effect of probiotics on the clinical symptoms of allergic rhinitis and to elucidate some of the immunological mechanisms involved.
n=116 · NCT00001485 · COMPLETED · COMPLETED
As the seasons change during the course of the year, many animals show major changes in their behavior and physiology. Many of these changes are triggered by changes in the length of time each night that the pineal gland produces the hormone melatonin. Melatonin is produced for a longer time in winter when nights are long, than in summer when nights are short. Some researchers believe that melatonin may play a similar role in how season effects mood of patients with seasonal affective disorder. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or mood disorder with seasonal pattern is a condition where the normal biorhythm is disturbed during a season, especially autumn-winter. Patients may begin experiencing or experience worsening of depressive symptoms. Patients complain of being constantly tired, craving sugary foods, overeating, and over sleeping. Researchers have collected some preliminary data showing that the duration of nighttime melatonin secretion increases in winter and decreases in summer in healthy women, but not in healthy men. However, men diagnosed with SAD have shown longer duration of melatonin secretion in the winter, similar to the duration seen in healthy women. If these early findings are confirmed it may explain why SAD is more common in women than in men. The purpose of this study is to continue researching the differences in melatonin secretion over the seasons in healthy men and women, and to determine how these findings may apply to patients with SAD.
Conventional treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder typically includes light therapy, psychotherapy (such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), and antidepressant medications (e.g., SSRIs). A healthcare provider can help determine the most appropriate course of action based on individual symptoms and medical history. It is important to seek professional medical advice for diagnosis and treatment.
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This information is for educational purposes only and not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions about your health or treatment, especially if you have a medical condition or are taking medications.
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